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Softer Approach on Pension Problems

Head of Rhode Island's Fund Aims to Win Workers' Support

Standing before hundreds of state employees at a union meeting in late May, Gina Raimondo warned that Rhode Island's pension system could run out of money unless big cutbacks are made.

Then something unusual happened. The workers loudly applauded the 40-year-old Ms. Raimondo, who was elected in November to oversee Rhode Island's $6.4 billion pension fund. "This system as designed today is fundamentally unsustainable, and it is in your best interest to fix it," she said.